Letter to the Editor: Gene Holmerud

Urban Legends (ULs) Among Us.

Recently in MAAM a very old one appeared as an “inspirational piece”. Most ULs have a moralism. It varied in detail from other similar “reports”. ULs invariably vary. This one was signed “Mrs. Nat King Cole by somebody that did not know Marie’s name. This was certainly not as blatant as “Walt Disney Jr.” (he had two daughters only), but never the less should have been a flag to raise serious doubts for authenticity.

Until his death earlier this year, I had the incredible fortune to be a friend of Ike Cole, brother of Nat and Jazz pianist and vocalist.   I had heard this UL a few years ago and fulfilling a promise to the person that originally sent it to me, asked Ike, after voicing my skepticism.  That is how I learned Marie’s name. But we’re in good company, Ike told me he heard it from Bob Hope about twenty years ago. Obviously he was not able to squelch it.

OK, call me the Grinch.   I say hit the delete key,  not the forward poke when some story that is too good to be true grabs that gullibility that is in us. Sometimes they’re called parables.  The hints to look for are above.  Better yet, read Jon Harold Brunvand.

Gene, thanks for the input.  As I told you, I can't check every article for historical accuracy.  The one thing I can depend on is that if something is wrong, some Mensan will catch it.  Makes one wonder how many cherished stories are accurate.